* Japanese name: Namazu * Scientific name: Silurus asotus * Description: The most common catfish in Japan, not to be mistaken for the mythical giant catfish god of the same name (Namazu) who is reputed to live in mud deep under Tokyo. The namazu ...

* Japanese name: Toki * Scientific name: Rhacophorus schlegelii * Description: It doesn’t get much more Japanese than this. The large, white-feathered crested ibis — a wader with a downward-curving bill, a face bare of feathers and bright-red skin and legs — is a ...

* Japanese name: Kurosagi * Scientific name: Egretta sacra * Description: As egrets in Japan go, reef egrets are medium-size, growing to around 65 cm in length, with a wingspan of up to 110 cm. They weigh about 400 grams. As for their color, ...

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* Japanese name: Kawahagi * Scientific name: Stephanolepis cirrhifer * Description: From the side, filefish appear almost circular, with a large eye located high on the head, pouting lips and an elongated tail. From the front, however, they almost disappear, so thin is the ...

Japanese name: Sukumiringogai Scientific name: Pomacea canaliculata Description: A fairly large snail with a shell 40 to 60 mm wide and 45 to 75 mm high, and coloration varying from yellow and green to dark brown; some have spiral bands. The tentacle-like antennae are ...

Japanese name: Otoshibumi Scientific name: Apoderus jekeli Description: These are odd-looking, but I think quite charismatic little beetles, with elongated heads and powerful limbs, especially the forelimbs. They have straight antennae, which place them among the primitive weevils; they grow to about 6 mm ...

Japanese name:Miyako hikigaeru Scientific name: Bufo gargarizans miyakonis Description: A real “witch’s toad,” this is a large (up to 18-cm long) warty amphibian, with bulging black eyes and powerful limbs. The skin is yellow-beige. Where to find them: As the name suggests, these toads ...

Japanese name: Kusagame Scientific name: Chinemys reevesii Description: Also known as Reeve’s turtle, this is a small reptile, growing to about 20-25 cm long (though larger individuals have been reported in Japan), whose shape is more rectangular than oval. It has three ridges (keels) ...

Japanese name: Mugitsuku Scientific name: Pungtungia herzi Description: Also known as the “striped shiner,” this is a small, sparkling fish, growing up to 55mm long. There is a broad black stripe running down the length of the body, and a brown stripe on the ...

Japanese name: Ookonohazuku Scientific name: Otus bakkamoena lempiji Description: For an owl, this is a small bird, but for a Scops Owl, it’s on the large side if it gets to 20-24 cm long and 100-170 grams’ weight. These owls have large tufted “eyebrows,” ...

Japanese name: Shiro-uo Scientific name: Leucopsarion petersii Description: A small fish that’s long and thin (up to 13 cm long), it is pale-fleshed, even transparent. Sometimes eggs can be seen through the body wall. The fish has an eel-like appearance, and some features, such ...

Japanese name:Kasasagi Scientific name: Pica pica Description: Members of the crow family, magpies have an unmistakable black-and-white plumage, though if you see one close up you’ll notice that the black actually has an iridescent blue sheen to it, and the long tail is slightly ...